Team

Let's Get Ready's programs are really run by the 100 part-time program directors and the 750 trained volunteers each year who spearhead LGR programs in their communities. However, these student leaders are trained and extensively supported by a small central staff:

Lauri Novick, Executive Director

Lauri joined LGR in October 2005 and brings a broad range of experience from both the non-profit and corporate communities. Previously, she served for two years as the Executive Director of the American Friends of Sheba Medical Center (the largest hospital in Israel) and for six years as the Executive Director of The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter. Prior to her work in the non-profit field, Lauri was an Assistant General Counsel with Barclays Bank PLC and an attorney with Kaye Scholer. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Lauri has a deep passion for helping under-served youth and for the last twenty years has served on the Divisional Board of the Rita and Stanley H. Kaplan House, a residential treatment facility for troubled teens and young adults. She sits on the Board of Directors of Areyvut and is active in other community organizations. lnovick@letsgetready.org

Brian Dever, Director of Development

Brian leads Let's Get Ready's fundraising efforts through individual donations, foundation and corporation grants, and events (including an annual gala first held in 2007). Since 2004, LGR has quadrupled its annual income and the number of students served. Brian also serves on the Board of the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund. Brian came to LGR from Minnesota where he served as the Executive Director of the Northfield Union of Youth. A graduate of Carleton College, Brian received the Sister Pat Kowalski Leadership Award for his efforts to bring service-learning to Carleton and to incorporate it into the college's curriculum. Brian has also volunteered with LGR several times as a Coach. bdever@letsgetready.org

Heather Reddick, Director of Finance and Operations

Heather is a recent addition to the LGR team, whom we are very happy to welcome on board. Heather received her B.A. in Psychology from New York University, and has since been working in the nonprofit sector specializing in finance and logistics. For the past two and a half years, she served as the International Operations Director at Students for a Free Tibet's Headquarters in New York City, and she continues to be very involved in and committed to the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom and human rights. Her passion for social justice was first stoked in her role at the League of Young Voters as the National Operations Director working to educate and mobilize young people of color in the political process. There Heather discovered a love for nonprofit fiscal management and discovered that her most valuable contribution to an organization is in working to increase efficiency, transparency, and staff empowerment in understanding the critical role of financial literacy in all levels of the organization. As a first generation college student herself, Heather is inspired by LGR's work and is very excited to be a part of the team. hreddick@letsgetready.org

Rachel Cleaver, Director of Programs

Rachel joined LGR in September 2008 after working for six years as Program Director of the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund, a college preparatory mentoring, internship, SAT prep and college support program for Washington D.C. public high school students. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in education and a former lead member of the Double the Numbers Initiative in Washington, D.C., she has extensive experience in helping under-served high school students through the college application progress, including curriculum design and program management. Rachel has a strong passion for social justice issues learned from and supported by a family of protesters and fighters for equality. This led to her career beginning as an Americorps/VISTA and continues through the work she does today. As a transplant to New York, she looks forward to exploring the city and finding new adventures. rcleaver@letsgetready.org

Jessica Filante, New England Regional Director

Jessica directs the New England Project. As a Director of Programs, Jessica is responsible for supporting and creating LGR programs in Boston and the New England region. A graduate of Northwestern University, Jessica joined LGR after working with the American Institutes for Research with a focus on education issues. Jessica also has prior experience with LGR, as a Site Director and a volunteer Coach. As a Site Director, Jessica successfully led a huge 2005 Mount Vernon program which included 70 high school students and 23 college volunteers! jfilante@letsgetready.org

Matt Boyce, Program Manager

Matt Boyce, Program Manager for LGR New England, graduated from Villanova University in 2004 and recently completed his masters of education in School Counseling at Boston University. Matt joined the Boston LGR office in September 2007. When Matt isn't overseeing LGR programs or advising students on the college application process, he enjoys playing, coaching, and watching soccer, as well as cooking and spending time with his wife and friends. mboyce@letsgetready.org

Katie Brounstein, Program Manager

Katie joined LGR after completing her MSW with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Rutgers University. A graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, she brings experience managing college student community service and providing direct service to youth. Prior to joining LGR in 2008, Katie served as a team member with Project C.O.P.E., organizing health-related educational workshops for youth in Paterson, NJ. Some of her previous positions include a stint as a corps member with City Year Rhode Island and a number of roles at Homes for the Homeless Camp Kiwago. Katie is thrilled to be a member of LGR's program team, which allows her to combine her passions for volunteerism and equality in education. kbrounstein@letsgetready.org

Sneha Subramanian, Program Manager

Sneha joined LGR in November 2007 after recently completing a yearlong AmeriCorps service with Jumpstart for Young Children in San Francisco. Working with the program team at Jumpstart, she brings her programmatic knowledge to support the program team here at LGR. Having worked directly with youth and children throughout her college career, Sneha hopes to someday work internationally towards youth development and education issues. Sneha earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Redlands in International Relations, French and Race and Ethnic Studies and is currently working towards getting her Masters degree in Educational Leadership, Politics, & Advocacy at NYU. She is extremely excited to be a part of the LGR team! ssubramanian@letsgetready.org

Corey Yarbrough, Program Manager

Corey graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Justice Studies. While at JMU, Corey served as co-captain of the debate team and coached for numerous middle and high school debate leagues. After graduating, he completed the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship with the Congressional Hunger Center. Under the fellowship, he worked with regional and national organizations to expand the civil rights of low income and homeless individuals. Upon moving to New England, he worked as a community organizer for education reform. A first generation college graduate, Corey is dedicated to ensuring higher education is accessible to underserved students. In his spare time he loves to entertain others by singing karaoke and dancing. cyarbrough@letsgetready.org

Anna Ramirez, Program Assistant

Anna Ramirez joined Let's Get Ready in the fall of 2006. An alumnus of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, Anna serves on the yearbook committee, National Honor Society and a number of after-school activities. Anna is working with LGR through the Futures and Options Program. She is currently attending Long Island University- Brooklyn Campus where she will be getting her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Alejandra Sotomayor, Program Assistant

Alejandra joined the Let's Get Ready team in January 2006 as a student at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School (where she was a part of the National Honor Society). Alejandra started with LGR through the Futures and Options Program, and she continues to help LGR now that she is a junior at Pace University. In the fall, she traveled to italy to study abroad.

Eugenie Rosenthal, Founder

Eugenie founded LGR following her sophomore year at Harvard College. She has served in all roles in the organization, from classroom Coach to Site Director, to Executive Director. Eugenie was Let's Get Ready's first Executive Director until August 2005. Currently, she sits on the Board of Directors where she chairs LGR's Programs Committee.